What are the causes of B12 deficiency?

What are the causes of B12 deficiency?

Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12, which has important functions in the body, is supplied through food and stored in the liver. Vitamin B12 is involved in DNA synthesis, cell division and blood cell formation. These functions can be impaired by vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency can manifest itself in the form of mild symptoms or more serious psychological, neurological and haematological disorders. What is vitamin B12? Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is heat-sensitive and water-soluble like other B vitamins. It can be stored in the body in small amounts. The vitamin, also known as cobalamin due to its cobalt mineral content, is stored in the liver of a healthy person about 2 mg and 2 mg in other body parts, totalling about 4 mg. Methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin are forms of vitamin B12 active in human metabolism. Vitamin B12 is involved in DNA synthesis, energy production, red blood cell production, nervous system and brain functions. One of its most important functions is to act as a coenzyme in gene replication. What is vitamin B12 deficiency? The body's need for vitamin B12 is 2-3 mcg daily. The daily vitamin B12 requirement is higher in pregnant women and nursing mothers. Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs if the body does not get enough vitamin B12. The amount of vitamin B12 is expected to be between 200 pg/mL and 800 pg/mL in tests. Vitamin B12 below 200 pg/mL is considered low. What are the causes of B12 deficiency? Vitamin B12 deficiency can have many causes. The most common cause is a diet poor in foods containing vitamin B12.

• Vegan or vegetarian diets: The intake of vitamin B12 can only occur through food. Especially animal products contain vitamin B12. Vegetarians and vegans who do not consume animal products often experience vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Eating disorders: Anorexia neurosa, blumia neurosa
• Some medicines used: Cholestyramine, aspirin, metformin, colchicine, etc. may impair cobalamin absorption due to their various effects on the small intestinal mucosa or membrane receptors.
• Drugs such as proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor antagonists that cause a decrease in stomach acid: Vitamin B12 needs stomach acid to be absorbed by the body.
• Advanced age: After the age of 50, it becomes difficult for most people to absorb vitamin B12.
• Stomach for weight loss
• Those who have had bowel surgery: B12 may become difficult to absorb and deficiency may occur.
• Inability to consume foods rich in B12 due to food allergies
• Stomach and intestinal diseases: Such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease.
• Parasites
• Pregnancy
• Smoking and alcohol use

What are the symptoms of B12 deficiency? The human body obtains vitamin B12 especially from foods of animal origin (meat, milk and derivatives, eggs, fish). Symptoms seen in the body in case of vitamin B12 deficiency; forgetfulness, depression, excessive irritability, lack of attention and focus, palpitations, chills, weakness, fatigue, numbness in the limbs, pain on the tongue, mouth ulcers (aphthae), dry skin, hair loss, weight loss, diarrhoea. What does vitamin B12 deficiency lead to? Vitamin B12 strengthens the immune system and takes part in the correct and fast functioning of the nervous system. Conditions caused by vitamin B12 deficiency are as follows;

Psychiatric disorders Depression Excessive irritability Personality change Neurological disorders Impairment of taste, smell and vision Numbness in arms and legs, ataxia, loss of strength, spasticity, clonus Dementia, memory loss, loss of sensation of vibration and position Haematological disorders Megaloblastic anaemia Leucopenia Thrombocytopenia

Other disorders seen in vitamin B12 deficiency: Fatigue, weakness, weakness, chills, heart palpitations, constipation, diarrhoea, painful flat red tongue (atrophic glossitis), mouth sores (aphthae), dry skin, pale skin, hair loss, loss of appetite, weight loss, susceptibility to infections, infertility, impotence, neural tube defects, cleft palate and cleft lip. How to treat vitamin B12 deficiency? People with vitamin B12 deficiency due to different etiologies, including inadequate dietary intake, absorption and metabolism disorders, can be treated with vitamin B12 pills, injections and diets designed to increase vitamin B12 intake. In patients with severe clinical disorders or vitamin B12 absorption and metabolism problems, it is more appropriate to prefer B12 injection therapy until an adequate response is obtained. What are the psychological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency? Vitamin B12 is essential for the health of nervous tissue. Vitamin B12 deficiency primarily affects the brain and nervous tissue. Depression, irritability, forgetfulness, changes in thinking and behaviour, decreased cognitive abilities such as judgement, memory and understanding are psychological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. What is good for vitamin B12 deficiency? What to eat against vitamin B12 deficiency? Food sources rich in B12 include liver, spleen, kidney, mussels, trout, shrimp, tuna, milk, cheese, yoghurt and eggs. It is especially important for people who eat vegetarian and vegan diets to take vitamin B12 support to prevent this vitamin deficiency. What happens if vitamin B12 deficiency is not treated? Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the age group of 65 years and older. When left untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anaemia, muscle weakness, intestinal problems, psychological disorders and irreversible neurological diseases.